West TN lawmakers speak out on reason for passing on Durham ouster vote
NASHVILLE, Tenn.-Two West Tennessee representatives passed on whether to oust State Representative Jeremy Durham, amid sexual misconduct allegations.
The Franklin Republican is accused of inappropriate conduct involving 22 different women. The house ousted him by a vote of 70 to 2.
However, Republican lawmakers Jimmy Eldridge of Jackson and Andy Holt of Dresden were not counted, choosing not to cast a vote.
They told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, they believe the matter should have been handled differently.
“My reason for taking that stand was we were called back for one reason and one reason only. The second thing is, I think there were a lot of questions about the constitutionality of the state constitution of the process,” said State Representative Jimmy Eldridge of Jackson.
“I hope that my vote isn’t taken as a defense in any way. I’m not defending Representative Durham, I am defending the presets of the constitution and the idea that individuals should be extended due process,” said State Representative Andy Holt of Dresden.
Both lawmakers stressed they take the allegations against Durham seriously, but think the vote should have come at a different time.
